These are the latest Exoplanet transit observations for the ExoClock project that CMHASD are involved in.
Astronomy every Thursday
These are the latest Exoplanet transit observations for the ExoClock project that CMHASD are involved in.
NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN DIRECTLY. Please click here for solar observing safely.
A selection of fantastic images of our Sun taken on the 4th March 2025 by CMHASD trustee Simon Dawes from Bexley. Details of how Simon took his images are on the photos.
A lovely image of the Moon taken by CMHASD member Diane Clarke on the 6th March 2025 in the afternoon. Diane used her Seestar S50 smartscope to take the image.
Another stunning image of the Moon taken by CMHASD member Neil Webster on Tuesday evening; 4th March 2025.
The Waxing Crescent Moon was 30.0% illuminated and 4.84 days old.
Neil acquired the image using an AA 115mm Apo, EQ6 R, ZWO ASI 290MM, and a Astronomik R/IR filter. 3 frames stitched in Microsoft ICE. Each 90s x 33fps (20% selected)
Processed using Firecapture, AutoStakkert, and PhotoShop.
CMHASD member George Buckberry caught this plane transit across the sky below Orion on Thursday 27th February from Dartford. George used a Canon EOS 760D and Samyang 14mm wide Angle lens at F4. The camera was set to ISO 3200 and Bulb with Intervalometer set at 10 Sec exposure.
NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN DIRECTLY. Please click here for solar observing safely.
A lovely selection of images taken by member Jim Burchell. Details of how Jim took the images are on most of the photos.
1st March 2025
2nd March 2025
Crescent Venus below....
3rd March 2025
CMHASD trustee John Howarth spotted Mercury with a crescent Moon on the 1st March 2025 and quickly took these 2 photos from Bexley.
The first photo shows the Moon top right and Mercury, very faint but clearly visible, halfway down the roof line, just above the cloud near the end of a twig. The second photo just shows a faint Mercury in about the same spot.
Last night, Wed 8th February, a group of us returned to Wentworth Primary School, not far from Crayford, to educate and entertain the pupils. There were telescopes on display, activities in the gym & hall as well as a presentation on the night sky and member Aurora images. The teaching staff were delighted with how things went, and hoped we will return next year, (perhaps with clear skies).
CMHASD member George Buckberry who attended the event wrote ''It was a very good event, my first at a school. The children were of a similar age to a couple of my great grandchildren with similar energy and enthusiasm and interest. I took some books and pictures and a stellarscope that they liked a lot. My set up was a camera on a tripod with an intervalometer attached. It was viewing the Jupiter model and many of my visitors took a photo of it, a little bit of hands on, and delighted in the image they took on the screen. Horrible night to be out but it was well worth doing. Great fun.''
CMHASD chairman John Archer wrote ''I want to thank those who braved the sleet, and gave up their evening to share their interest and knowledge of astronomy with the younger generation – It’s entirely possible that the next generation of space explorers or alien life discoverers were with us last night – stranger things have happened!''
There are no photos of the event due to safeguarding.
The observatory and telescope are ready to use by members for visual observing. The telescope is fitted with an eyepiece. Any questions please direct them to Keith, Steve, Simon and Andy.
On Saturday 15th Feb 2025 CMHASD held their annual Society Meal. A large contingent of members ventured to the Chequers in the drizzle, to be met with a warm welcome and a splendid evening of food, drink and merriment. Credit to the Chequers team front of house and in the kitchen for their efforts as everything went off very well indeed :-) and a big Thank you to Malcolm Gough and John Archer for organising the event.
Below are a few photos taken of the super evening.